Chapter 119: The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, While the Oriole Is Behind 2
Inside the command cabin, a pale blue holographic star map hovered in the center. The adjutant had just marked the next jump coordinates when a piercing alarm suddenly ripped through the silence.
The red [Channel Interception] warning box suddenly popped open, completely covering the star map.
The sharp alarm also startled Vic who was enjoying his tea. "What's going on?" Vic put down the teacup that had just been brought to his mouth.
As soon as the voice fell, the bone china teacup in his hand was placed heavily on the tray.
A few drops of tea splashed onto his cuffs, leaving dark wet marks.
He was completely unaware of this and hurried through the suspension tunnel of the command cabin.
The soles of his boots stepped on the edge of the star map projected by the optical computer, blurring the route from the Sphenoid Galaxy to the Central Star.
The holographic screen on the main console was emitting a dazzling red light, and the four large characters "Channel Interception" were so alarmingly red that they were firmly pinned to the center of the screen.
"What's going on?" Vic's voice rang out over the alarm. "Why were we stopped?"
An adjutant just finished communicating and reported to Vic:
"Second Prince, fleets No. 731, 732, and 733 are inspecting the fleets, citing the detection of abnormal spore signals in the outer channel of the Zerg Hive.
We are required to dock our starship at Warp Anchor Point 3 for a full Zerg contamination inspection, which is expected to take 24 standard hours."
"Zerg spores?" Vic sneered and slammed his knuckles against the table.
"The military just issued a briefing three days ago about 'Zerg activity under control,' and now they're investigating spores?"
He grabbed the communicator and switched directly to the fleet inspection channel. His voice was shrouded in the prince's authority:
"I am the Second Prince Vic, and I am carrying out an urgent royal mission to escort the Red Shadow prisoners back to the Central Star! I order you to let them go immediately!"
There was silence for a few seconds, followed by an official and mechanical response:
"My apologies, Your Highness. We have received a Level 1 control order from the military. There is a risk of Zerg spores spreading. All passing starships must be inspected. No special exemptions are allowed."
"No exemption?" Vic's eyes suddenly turned red. He grabbed the Royal Passcode terminal handed to him by the adjutant and slammed it hard on the identification area.
"Look carefully! S+ level royal pass code, covering all control orders! Get out of the way now!"
A message popped up on the holographic screen: "Authorization verification passed, but the Zerg prevention and control order has a higher priority." The cold blue font was like a slap in the face.
The maintenance fleet seemed to have anticipated this outcome. After leaving a message, they hung up the communication.
Vic kicked the suspension seat next to him fiercely. The seat hit the bulkhead with a clang, and the alloy shell was directly dented.
"You're just a scoundrel! This isn't about investigating the Zerg! It's that little bastard Karen's doing! He's afraid I'll return to the Central Star early, so he's stalling for time!"
The soldiers in the command cabin all lowered their heads, no one daring to speak. The adjutant leaned forward, his voice trembling, "Your Highness, how about contacting the Royal Guards for coordination?"
"Coordination is bullshit!" Vic pushed the adjutant away, and the adjutant stumbled and bumped into the energy screen, and the screen instantly began to snow.
"If Karen dared to stop me, she would have already informed the Navigation Bureau! The Guard Department is under his control now, so it's useless to contact him!"
He stared at the triangular double-team formation of the maintenance fleet on the holographic screen. It was obvious that they had been prepared for this. Anger surged in his chest like magma.
He suddenly thought of Ye Heng and Lin Yao in the detention room, and the planned "public trial" and the bargaining chip to bring down Karen.
If it is delayed for 24 hours, who knows what will happen to the Central Star.
"Go!" Vic slammed the "Forced Jump" button, but his adjutant held his hand tightly.
"Your Highness, you can't do that!" The adjutant's face turned pale.
"The maintenance fleet's main guns are charged! Forcing a breakthrough will result in charges of 'carrying Zerg spores and intentionally spreading them'. They'll actually open fire!"
Vic's hand froze on the button, and out of the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of the main gun charging indicator in the corner of the screen.
Three lavender light bands converged at the bow of the maintenance ship. That was the signal of the main gun, enough to penetrate the shield of their starship.
He gasped heavily, his fingertips turning white and almost embedding into the metal shell.
The alarm was still ringing, and the snow patterns on the energy screen were becoming denser and denser, just like his confused thoughts.
He knew that Karen had tricked him, and this 24-hour delay might ruin all their plans.
"Good, good Karen." Vic's voice was as cold as interstellar ice dust.
He slowly withdrew his hand and looked towards the central star, the anger in his eyes condensed into cruelty.
"Using the Zerg as a pretext to stop me? Fine, I'll fight you. But remember, when I return to the Central Star, I'll get this back with interest!"
He grabbed the communicator and dialed again, then shouted:
"Docking is permitted! The inspection is compressed to six hours! If you exceed the time limit by even a minute, I will impeach you in the Interstellar Council for 'abusing your authority under the guise of Zerg control and delaying important royal duties'!"
There was a long silence on the other end of the channel, and finally a voice came: "I'll reply after consulting my superiors."
Vic hung up the phone angrily, kicked over the toolbox at his feet, and scattered wrenches and screwdrivers all over the floor.
The command module was eerily quiet, with only the sound of the energy screen snowflakes and his heavy breathing.
Vic's anger had not yet subsided. He tugged at his wrinkled cuffs, and the dark wet marks left by the tea looked like an unsightly scar.
As he turned to leave the command cabin, the soles of his boots rolled heavily over the debris on the ground, making a creaking sound, as if echoing his current annoyance.
The cold white light tubes in the starship corridor extended along the bulkhead, stretching his shadow longer and shorter.
He clenched his fists, his fingertips still feeling the dull pain from hitting the console.
Karen's interception was like a thorn, piercing his plan to defeat his opponent. No matter how many hours of delay it was, it was enough to change the situation in Central Star.
When he thought of this, his chest felt tight and anxious.
"Your Highness, please take your time." The adjutant behind him trotted to catch up.
But Vic waved him away impatiently: "Get away! Don't follow me!"
The adjutant staggered to a stop, watching his back disappear around the corner of the corridor, not daring to move forward.
Just as he reached the door of the lounge, the guards guarding the end of the corridor suddenly stepped forward quickly.
"Your Highness!" The soldier stopped him and spoke in the face of Vic's unfriendly eyes.
"News came from the detention room that Marshal Ye Heng wants to see you."
"Ye Heng?" Vic's steps suddenly stopped. After thinking for a moment, he calmed down his temper and said, "Lead the way."
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